Independence Day is scheduled to go off with a bang (or, more accurately, lots of bangs) for the annual Freedom Festival in Simpson Park.

As the Fourth of July nears, excitement grows for children of all ages who anticipate the fireworks, picnics and face painting.

The annual Chillicothe Freedom Festival, as in years past, will be held at Simpson park at 6 p.m. Friday, July 4. Montana Vinson will begin the evening with the singing of the national anthem at 6 p.m.

The festival is sponsored annually by the Chillicothe Area Chamber of Commerce and KCHI. It is a family event which includes games, music, face painting, food and prizes.
Hy-Vee will provide food for the evening’s activities and local 4-H clubs will provide fun and games for the attendants.

The Show Me 4-H Club will have various games and prizes. Rich Hill 4-H will have a  ring toss game and Liberty 4-H will distribute free popsicles. Girl Scout Troop 8024 will be selling glow-in-the-dark items, according to KCHI owner Dan Leatherman.

The Xi Alpha Kappa Sorority of Chillicothe will offer free face paintings to the children in attendance. Special music will be presented by the Dustin Thomas Band set to perform at 7:30. There will also be a drawing for Oceans of Fun and Worlds of Fun tickets before the main event begins.......